Between the sounds of a dental drill and the discomfort that traditional metal tools might cause, there’s little wonder why many patients have dental anxiety. Fortunately, in many cases laser dentistry can help ease some of those fears by providing a pain-free solution for gum treatments. Here’s why a laser is an invaluable tool at a dental office.
What Is Laser Dentistry?
As you probably know, a laser is a highly concentrated beam of light energy. The beam is very precise and easy to control, so it won’t remove any more gum tissue than what’s necessary for the procedure. It can also cauterize the wound as it goes along, keeping any bleeding to a minimum. Other benefits include faster recovery time and lowering the chance of bacterial infection by sterilizing the area.
How Is Laser Dentistry Used?
One of the more common uses of lasers in dentistry is for gum disease treatment, which is sometimes called periodontal therapy. The laser can help removed infected or inflamed gum tissue while also exposing the tooth roots so that they can be scaled (that is, plaque below the gum line will be scraped away so that the gums can safely reattach to the teeth). Since the energy from the laser helps kill bacteria, it’s especially useful for this procedure.
For those looking to make cosmetic changes, lasers can also help treat “gummy smiles.” This is where the gums look disproportionately large compared to the teeth whenever you flash a grin. Your dentist can carefully remove the excess gum tissue and sculpt your gumline into a more aesthetically pleasing shape.
Will Laser Dentistry Hurt?
If comfort is your concern, you might ask, “Do dental lasers hurt?” The answer is that compared to traditional surgeries that make use of metal scalpels, laser dentistry is far less invasive causes little to no pain. It also greatly reduces the need for anesthesia, although your dentist may numb your mouth anyway just to be safe. Also, you likely won’t need stitches afterwards, so you won’t have to deal with the itching and discomfort associated with them.
You’ll probably experience some sensitivity in your gums for about a week after the surgery, but this discomfort will be very mild and won’t stop your from speaking and eating normally. While your gums are recovering, you should avoid crunchy or spicy foods that can irritate the tissue further. Any minor pain or swelling can be controlled with pain medication like ibuprofen.
If regular dental tools have made you apprehensive about getting treatment in the past, ask your dentist in Mt. Holly about the kind of treatments they can use a laser for instead. If the treatment’s right for you, it can make your appointment a lot less stressful, and your gums just might thank you for it later!
About the Practice
At Mt. Holly Family Dentistry, Dr. H. William Greenberg and Dr. Adam Cygler take the time to address areas of fear or stress for all kinds of anxious or reluctant patients. That sometimes means taking advantage of advanced dental technology like gentle soft-tissue lasers. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (609) 267-3230.